The Malaysia Pavilion today officially opens its doors at Expo 2020 Dubai and invites visitors to experience an immersive journey of Malaysia’s rainforest enabled by 3D projection mapping.

The 1,234.56 square metres net zero carbon installation at the mega event is set to present the country’s sustainable vision through several other creative interactive technologies in seven permanent exhibits over the 26 weeks of the expo. The Expo organiser expects over 25 million visitors at one of the biggest in-person events since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Delivering his speech to launch the Malaysia Pavilion which marks the country’s 7^thparticipation at the quinquennial event since 1970, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia, The Honourable Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba said:

“Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai illustrates our commitment to international collaboration, long-standing interest in global conversations, as well as initiating dialogues on common challenges and opportunities on science, technology and innovation (STI). The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has undertaken an integrated approach in converging two major sectors of the country, namely ‘STI’ and ‘Economy’ to catalysethe Socio-Economic Transformation and Inclusive Growth.”

“Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity on many angles, including to increase Malaysia’s bilateral trade and ties with the UAE and other participating countries. Malaysia and the UAE enjoy excellent relations and our bond continues to grow stronger,” he emphasised.

Describing the aesthetic concept of the Malaysia Pavilion, themed ‘Energising Sustainability’, he added, “Malaysia has created a unique platform that symbolises its commitment to sustainable development, reaffirming the nation’s vision of balancing socio-economic development with environmental concerns. This is aligned to Malaysia’s sustainability vision of inspiring meaningful action towards global climate change aspiration.”

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, The Honourable Dato’ Sri Dr.Adham Baba’s speech for the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion was read by the Ambassador of Malaysia to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Excellency Mohd Tarid Sufian.The launch of the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai was livestreamed between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC) as implementing agency.

Among highlights of The Honourable Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba’s speech include:

Net Zero Carbon Pavilion

A prime contribution to the climate change agenda in Expo 2020 Dubai is the Net Zero Carbon Pavilion which represent Malaysia’s concerted efforts to reduce emissions at home as well as in its external activities.

The net zero carbon commitment involves neutralising the embodied carbon in the construction materials, emissions from construction, operation activities as well as decommissioning of the Malaysia Pavilion. This amounts to an estimated 1,553.67 tonnes CO₂ equivalent, not including emissions from repair, maintenance, and recovery activities.”

To offset the emissions, 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent credits generated through avoided emissions under sustainable forest management (SFM) practices were acquired. These forestry carbon credits are solid testimonies of the country’s sound forestry practices and in honouring its Rio Earth Summit 1992 pledge to keep at least 50 per cent of its landmass as forest and tree cover.

Malaysia sets trade targets for Expo 2020 Dubai

Malaysia is leveraging trade and investment opportunities at the world event and anticipates about 40 MoUs signing on a Business-to-Business (B2B), Government-to-Government (G2G) and Government-to-Business (G2B) level, adding that this would strengthen the prospects of achieving between RM8 billion and RM10billion in potential business leads.

Malaysia has alwaysviewedWorld Expo as an important platform for global collaboration and trade and business opportunities.

Among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UAE is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and export destination. It is also Malaysia’s second largest import market after Saudi Arabia. Total bilateral trade in the year 2020 was valued at USD 4.91 billion, comprising total exports at USD 2.03 billion and total imports at USD 2.88 billion.

Malaysia’s exports to the UAE are primarily electrical and electronic products, jewellery, petroleum products, machinery, equipment and parts, processed food, metal products, palm oil related products, chemicals and chemical products, rubber products, transport equipment and textiles.

MOSTI kickstarts trade and business weeks

The trade and business programme will start with the ‘Commercialisation: from Lab to International’ that spans 1-9 October 2021, jointly spearheaded by MOSTI and Technology Park Malaysia (TPM). This will be followed by the “Creating Tomorrow’s Sustainable Startups” Week to be co-organised with venture capital firm Cradle Fund.

The programmes aim to promote Malaysia’s technologies and start-ups and forge partnerships in enhancing R&D&C activities. A key event for the week is the Malaysia International Tech Summit on 5^thOctober 2021 at The Address Dubai Marina.

Driving strategic business and trade outcomes

Malaysia’s representation at Expo 2020 Dubai will be participated by 21 Ministries of the Malaysian government, 70 government agencies, and 5 state governments. About 300 companies will participate in the weekly trade and business programmes which encompasses6 thematic industry clusters namely, Science, Technology, Innovation & Environment, Trade and 4^th Industrial Revolution, Health, Education, Tourism & Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship and Energy, Agriculture, Agricommodity& Water, and Sustainability.

26 weekly business and trade programmes have been curated to maximise the opportunities for our local homegrown companies. The breadth and depth of our programmes reflects the robustness of Malaysia’s business ecosystem.

Malaysia Pavilion will also host a series of activities and programmes such as business seminars, summits, forums, and showcases.

Arts and Culture showcase

From the arts and culture perspective, there will be more than 1,000 shows throughout the expo duration with 6 daily shows featuring Malaysian traditional performances at the main Amphitheatre of the Malaysia Pavilion. These performances and activities vary from dances to traditional art and crafts, and delectable cuisines that take visitors on a truly Malaysian experience.

Visitors can visit the Malaysian Pavilion daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm, while observing COVID-19 SOPs put in place by the event organisers.